Mezze under the stars

Hosting outside is my absolute favorite and it didn’t take a pandemic for me to foster a love of dining al fresco…I have always enjoyed it!

My latest dinner party is a Mezze, family style set up in the backyard where we can enjoy the great outdoors, watch the sunset and then sip wine under the stars. The stars this year have been extra magnificent!

For starters, I set the table with my new tableware from Social Studies. They are a brilliant company based out of New York that “rents” party-scapes out and sometimes offers friends and family sales on items that they are ready to discard. I loaded up on the prettiest items and used them to set a gorgeous tablescape for my Mezze dinner party.

I cut flowers right from my backyard to decorate the table and make it look fresh and added some tea light candles to create a soft and pretty ambiance.

For dinner I kept it so simple. I picked up all of my favorite store bought antipasti items and created a “Mezze board”. I put hummus into a bowl for spreading on pita and set out small bowls for my guests to drop their olive pits into.

For the main, I grilled chicken that I had dressed with Olive oil, salt + pepper and oregano and served alongside a Greek salad and lemon potatoes.

I made a red wine sangria to serve as a signature cocktail using farm fresh fruit like peaches which are in season and so perfectly ripe right now.

It was the most lovely evening. When are we doing it again?!